New Jersey town overrun by water swell; rescues under way

AP

Andrea Grolon walks through waist-deep water in the Metropolitan Trailer Park in Moonachie, N.J. on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012. Grolon, a resident of the trailer park, was wading through oil covered water to help others get to rescue vehicles in the wake of superstorm Sandy. (Craig Ruttle)

October 30, 2012 12:30:37 AM PDT

DAVID PORTER

MOONACHIE, N.J. --

Authorities have launched a rescue effort after a huge swell of water flooded a small northern New Jersey town early Tuesday.

Moonachie Police Sgt. Tom Schmidt says the rush of water left about 5 feet of water in the streets within 45 minutes.

The police and fire departments are flooded.

Officials are using boats to try to rescue about 800 people living in a trailer park and other stranded residents.

There are no reports of injuries or deaths.

Local authorities initially reported a levee had broken. But Gov. Chris Christie says a berm overflowed.